Dean Couzins elected as AHA Board Member at 2025 AGM

On Friday 2nd of May, Auckland Hockey Association held it’s 2025 AGM where Dean Couzins was elected unanimously, shifting from an appointed Board Member role to an elected role to ensure the constitution balance of five elected and three appointed Board Members required.

Dean Couzins brings a wealth of experience and leadership from his career as a representative of the New Zealand Men’s Black Sticks Hockey Team. With a tenure spanning from 2001 to 2014, Dean achieved 318 international caps and served as the team captain from 2011 to 2014.

His leadership, commitment, and extensive experience make him a valuable candidate for the board, where he can bring his strategic insights and passion for excellence to the forefront.

Since 2018, Dean has continued to contribute to the sport as a selector for the New Zealand Men’s Hockey Team. In this role, he is responsible for selecting Black Sticks teams for all international fixtures, offering input to the annual plan and campaign strategies, and providing constructive feedback to foster the continual development and success of the high-performance culture.

He has also been a dedicated player for the Southern Districts since 2002 and is currently a member of the D1 Men’s team. Additionally, he is actively involved in coaching his daughters as they begin their hockey journey, demonstrating his commitment to nurturing the next generation of athletes.

Couzins says “I am passionate about creating an environment where all hockey players can thrive in their own way, be that high performance or participation.  I believe that my experience in both sports and professional governance, combined with my leadership skills and commitment to excellence, make me a valuable candidate for the AHA board. I am focused on creating a strong risk culture, nurturing the next generation of athletes, and contributing to the strategic direction and success of the AHA”.